General Muhoozi Kainerugaba of the UPDF declared his exhaustion from fighting the Nuer tribesmen in South Sudan and called for their surrender. His controversial statements have caused diplomatic tensions with neighboring countries, particularly following threats made against the DRC and Sudan. The UPDF’s involvement in South Sudan piques concerns regarding regional stability.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defense Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and son of the Ugandan president, recently expressed his fatigue with the ongoing conflict involving the Nuer tribesmen of South Sudan. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), he suggested that the Nuer should surrender to avoid further bloodshed, adding that if Nuer elders were wise, they would offer him 1,000 cows to cease hostilities.
He proclaimed his desire for peace, stating, “I am tired of killing Nuer. Tell your leader Riek Machar to come and kneel down before ‘our’ President H.E. Salva Kiir,” indicating his belief that by doing so, the conflict could end. He recognized the UPDF’s mission in South Sudan as one of protection for President Salva Kiir, emphasizing that any hostility toward him would be considered an act of war against Uganda.
Kainerugaba is known for his controversial remarks on social media, which have sparked diplomatic tensions with neighboring countries. In December 2022, he threatened military action against foreign mercenaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), resulting in a formal diplomatic protest from the DRC’s government.
Additionally, Sudan demanded an apology from Uganda following Kainerugaba’s allegations surrounding potential military actions against Khartoum. The Sudanese foreign ministry criticized his comments as reckless and contrary to diplomatic norms, claiming they posed a risk to regional security and disrespect for international law.
This is not the first instance of Kainerugaba’s provocative statements. He has made previous threats about invading Kenya and had to face public backlash, leading to apologies from his father, President Museveni, on multiple occasions. The UPDF’s history in South Sudan began in December 2013, following the outbreak of civil war, where they were initially tasked with protecting Ugandan nationals, later expanding their involvement to combat local rebel forces.
In conclusion, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s recent statements regarding the Nuer people have raised serious concerns regarding the potential for escalated military conflict in South Sudan. His provocative rhetoric has strained diplomatic relations with neighboring countries, highlighting the significant impact of social media communications in contemporary military discourse. The situation calls for a careful approach to ensure peace and respect for international norms in regional conflicts.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
